Some Other Guy

by

The Big Three

1963

Johnny Gustafson; Johnny Hutchinson;
Adrian Barber

This group seemed to have everything, but never achieved
great success. Idolised on their native Merseyside and in the
same Brian Epstein stable as the Beatles; but they never managed
to turn these things to great advantage.

However poor record sales but legendary status mean that
the few 45 singles that they produced are now very sought after
by eager collectors.

Adrian Barber decided to leave the group and took up the
post of stage manager at Hamburg's Star Club during 1962. He
was replaced by Brian Griffiths one of Liverpool's most proficient
guitarists and it is he who consequently plays on this record
not Barber.

'Some Other Guy' reached only #37 in the UK chart. It was
a cover of the Richie Barrett classic of the previous year. Naturally,
because of the growing expectation for home grown talent, the
Barrett version didn't enter the UK top 50 at all. It is consequently
even more of a collector's item than the Big Three's cover.

Richard Barrett had been in the music business both as
a performer and a manager. Previously the manager of the girl
group the Chantels, he was destined to manage another group of
girls called the Three Degrees.

Do You Want To Know A Secret

by

Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas

1963

Billy J. Kramer born in Bootle Merseyside;
August 19th, 1943

Unlike the Big Three, Billy J. Kramer did not have a great
start despite also being managed by Brian Epstein. His original
group, the Coasters did not want to go fully professional and
the Dakotas, a Manchester band, were substituted.

However, access to Lennon and McCartney's 'surplus' songs
proved to be the magic ingredient.

'Do You Want To Know A Secret' in common with many of Billy
J. Kramer's output was also recorded by the Beatles themselves,
but was only released on an album, not on 45.

The Dakotas actually enjoyed a brief chart success in their
own right as instrumentalists. In July 1963 they reached #18
in the UK chart with 'The Cruel Sea' a number penned by lead
guitarist Mike Maxfield.

It's Love That Really Counts

by

The Merseybeats

Even the adoption of a name that obviously identified them
with the new sound didn't guarantee success. 'It's Love That
Really Counts' was the Merseybeats second release and reached
only the #24 position.

Just like the two groups already mentioned they were originally
snapped up by Brian Epstein, but the relationship didn't last
long.

The Merseybeats had a number of minor hits, but their best
work was 'I Think Of You' which reached the #5 spot.

By 1966, with prospects of further chart successes fading,
the group split up. Tony Crane and Billy Kinsley then formed
a duo and abbreviated the group's name to the Merseys. They actually
had their biggest success in this guise with 'Sorrow' which just
managed to reach #4 in the Spring of 1966.

One Fine Day

by

Chiffons

1963

Judy Craig; Barbara Lee; Patricia Bennett;
Sylvia Peterson

This record shows how difficult things were getting for
even the most accomplished American Artists.

The Chiffons had UK chart success with three excellent
45 rpm releases in the 1960s. In April 1963 they reached #16
with 'He's So Fine'.

Despite this success, their next attempt 'One Fine Day',
which entered the chart in July, could achieve only #29.

The Chiffons had to wait until May 1966 for their next
UK Chart showing. That was with 'Sweet Talkin' Guy', arguably
their best record so far, could only manage to struggle to #31!

Despite their poor chart showing, the Chiffons must be
regarded as a major 'Girl Group' phenomenon. Notably, in 1972-
when the British 'beat boom' had finally faded- a re-release
of 'Sweet Talkin' Guy' established itself at the #4 position.